Copper Peak (Washington)

Copper Peak is an 8,964-foot (2,732-metre) mountain summit located in the Entiat Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state.[3] Copper Peak is situated 80 miles northeast of Seattle in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Wenatchee National Forest. Copper Peak ranks 22nd on Washington's highest 100 peaks, and 19th on the "Bulger List".[1] The nearest higher peak is Mount Fernow, 0.88 miles (1.42 km) to the south.[1] Precipitation runoff from the mountain and meltwater from the glacier on the southeast slope drains into nearby Lake Chelan via Railroad Creek. The first ascent of the peak was made in August 1937 by Franklin Bennet, Edgar Courtwright, and Toivo Hagman.[4] The peak's name refers to an abandoned copper mine that once operated at the northeast base of the peak.

Copper Peak
Copper Peak, east aspect
(Glacier Peak upper right)
Highest point
Elevation8,964 ft (2,732 m) [1]
Prominence484 ft (148 m) [1]
Parent peakMount Fernow (9249 ft)
Coordinates48°10′30″N 120°48′13″W [1]
Geography
Copper Peak
Location in Washington
Copper Peak
Copper Peak (the United States)
LocationGlacier Peak Wilderness
Chelan County
Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeEntiat Mountains
North Cascades
Topo mapUSGS Holden
Geology
Type of rockGneissic
Climbing
First ascent1937
Easiest routeclass 4-5 [2]

Climate

Lying east of the Cascade crest, the area around Copper Peak is a bit drier than areas to the west. Summers can bring warm temperatures and occasional thunderstorms. Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.[5] With its impressive height, Copper Peak can have snow on it in late-spring and early-fall, and can be very cold in the winter.

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, ridges, and deep glacial valleys. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.

snow-covered Copper Peak

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[6] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[6]  In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[6]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[6] The "U"-shaped cross section of the river valleys are a result of recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.

See also

References
Copper Peak centered, with Mt. Fernow (left) and Glacier Peak (right}
  1. "Copper Peak". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  2. https://www.mountaineers.org/activities/routes-places/copper-peak-southeast-glacier
  3. "Copper Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  4. http://www.rhinoclimbs.com/WA100HighestFAChronology.htm
  5. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  6. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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